Understanding your healthcare rights
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights describes the rights that you or someone you care for can expect when receiving health care. These rights apply to all people in all places where health care is provided in Australia.
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights
The Charter describes what you or someone you care for can expect when receiving health care. You have a right to:
- Access
- Safety
- Respect
- Partnership
- Information
- Privacy
- Give feedback
We have national safety and quality standards that require health services to use our charter of healthcare rights, or a charter that is consistent with ours. This is how we support your rights being upheld when you receive care.
This charter empowers you to get the healthcare you deserve. We have developed versions in multiple languages and to suit the needs of a diverse range of communities. Explore our resources to find the right version for you.
Versions of the Charter
- Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights poster – accessible A4 version
- A3 Poster
- Large Print version A4
- Large Print A3
- Infographic A4
- Infographic A3
- My Healthcare Rights – flyer for consumers
- Charter animation video
- Easy English version
- My Healthcare Rights – A guide for people with cognitive impairment
- About healthcare rights for people with cognitive impairment – Easy English Guide
- My Healthcare Rights – A guide for people with cognitive impairment – All translations
- LGBTQI+ version
- Digital Signage
- Audio Recordings
Example of Charter for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Developed by the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) Consumer and Patient Experience Unit in partnership with the NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service.
Guides to understanding the Charter
Translated versions of the Charter
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights is for everyone. We are endeavouring to provide translations of the Charter in many community languages. Currently the Charter is available in 34 languages in a printable A4 poster format.
To access the Braille version of the Charter please email the Partnering with Consumers team for further information.
Translation versions of the flyer for consumers
A quick-reference guide for consumers to understanding your healthcare rights. This flyer can be printed and folded down to a brochure.
Adaptations
The Charter can be adapted to meet the specific needs of the state, territory, local district or health service organisation; however, the seven original rights should remain in place.
All adaptations must include the seven healthcare rights and a citation acknowledging the Commission's original development work. For any further information or requests for the InDesign files, please contact us on (02) 9126 3600 or email the Partnering with Consumers team.
How the Charter started and what’s changed
The first edition of the Charter was released in 2008. The first Charter was developed in collaboration with consumers, clinicians, healthcare managers and policymakers. In 2018, the Commission commenced a review of the Charter with over 1,600 responses received by people providing feedback through a survey and workshops.
The second edition of the Charter which was released in 2019 reflects an increased focus on person-centred care and empowers consumers to take an active role in their healthcare. It is clearer and more specific than the first edition on important issues such as health literacy, shared decision making and partnership in action.
If you have any questions about the Charter, please email the Partnering with Consumers team or via phone on (02) 9126 3600.